The mining and quarrying sector contributed 4.38 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP in the first quarter of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This was a decline compared to the 5.47 per cent recorded in the same period of 2024 but an improvement from the 3.50 per cent in the previous quarter.
In its latest GDP report released on Monday, the NBS stated that although the sector’s share dropped year-on-year, it showed some recovery on a quarter-on-quarter basis. “The mining & quarrying sector contributed 4.38 per cent to the overall GDP in the first quarter of 2025, lower than the contributions recorded in the 2024 first quarter at 5.47 per cent and higher than the previous quarter at 3.50 per cent,” the report noted.
In real terms, the sector grew by 2.97 per cent year-on-year during Q1 2025. This represented a drop of 4.38 percentage points from Q1 2024 and 0.18 percentage points from the previous quarter. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, however, the sector recorded a growth rate of 12.00 per cent.
Its contribution to real GDP stood at 4.22 per cent in Q1 2025, slightly lower than 4.23 per cent in Q1 2024, but higher than 3.02 per cent in Q4 2024.
The mining and quarrying sector is made up of several sub-activities, including crude petroleum and natural gas, coal mining, metal ores, quarrying, and other minerals. In nominal terms, the sector declined by 5.33 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025.
Among the sub-sectors, metal ore activities showed the strongest growth at 83.55 per cent, followed by quarrying and other mining activities with a growth rate of 56.13 per cent. Despite these gains, crude petroleum and natural gas remained the dominant force in the sector, accounting for 89.16 per cent of the total weight.
However, the growth of crude petroleum and natural gas declined sharply compared to previous periods. The NBS said growth in Q1 2025 was 26.50 percentage points lower than in Q1 2024 and 64.82 percentage points below the rate in Q4 2024.
Business
Fuel and Food Price Hikes Push Kenya’s Inflation to 4.1%
Kenya’s inflation rate rose to 4.1 percent in July 2025, largely due to the rising costs of fuel and food.
High Court Confirms Legal Sale of Simbamanyo Properties in Loan Row
The High Court in Kampala has ruled that the sale of Simbamanyo Estates’ two prime properties was lawful, ending a lengthy legal battle over a $10 million loan dispute involving Equity Bank and the estate of the late Peter Kamya.
China’s COSCO Eyes Stake in $23B Panama Ports Deal Shift
China’s state-owned shipping giant COSCO is pushing to join a major $23 billion deal to acquire port assets owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, including key terminals on both sides of the Panama Canal.
US and EU Reach Major Trade Deal with 15% Tariff Agreement
The United States and the European Union have reached a major trade agreement, ending months of tense negotiations between two of the world’s largest economic powers.
Kenya Wins Sh258.5 Billion Railway Dispute in London Court
Kenya has won a major legal battle after a London court dismissed a Sh258.5 billion claim over a failed railway project.
Airtel Africa’s Quarterly Profit Soars 370% on Data, Mobile Money Surge
Airtel Africa has reported a massive 370% rise in profit for the quarter ending June 2025, driven by a strong increase in mobile data usage and rapid growth in its mobile money platform across its 14 African markets.
Safaricom Hits 50 Million Users as It Nears 25-Year Milestone
Safaricom PLC has officially surpassed 50 million customers on its Kenyan mobile network, marking a major milestone just months before the company celebrates its 25th anniversary in October 2025.
BasiGo Begins Testing Electric Matatus on Inter-City Routes
BasiGo has launched a pilot program to test electric matatus on inter-city routes, marking a significant step in Kenya's push toward cleaner public transport.